Mill plant for rolling hot metal



April 20, 1937. G. G. LLOYD MILL PLANT FOR ROLLING HOT METAL 7Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. 26, 1934 orne/u.

. April 20, 1937. G. G. LLOYD MILL PLANT FOR ROLLING HOT METAL '7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1934 rngy( April 20, 1937. G, LLOYD2,078,005

MILL PLANT FOR ROLLING HOT METAL jj? W 135 r h- P F 27j E; 14j jj! v 'fl j l* Il April 20, 1937. G. G. LLOYD MVILL PLANT FOR ROLLING HOT METALFiled Dec. ze. 1954 7 sheets-sheet 4 pl'il `20, 1937. Q G, LLQYD2,078,005

MILL PLANT;1 FOR ROLLING HOT METAL Filed DBC. 26, 1954 '7Sheets-511661'. 5

April 2o, 1937.

vca. G. LLOYD MILL PLANT FOR ROLLING HOT METAL '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 VFiledDec. :26, 1954 Pff April 20, 1937- G. G. LLOYD PLANT FOR ROLLING HOTMETAL '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 2e, 1954 MNM Patented pr. 20, i937.

2,078,005 L PLANT FOR ROLLING HOT METAL -Youngstown, Uhio, assignor ofone-twentieth to W. C. Coryell, Youngstown, Ohio Application December26, 1934, Serial No. 756,142

George Gordon Lloyd,

36 Claims.

The present invention relates to rolling mill plants for treating hotmetal and particularly hot metal strip. Although certain features of theinvention are capable of use in other connections than in connectionwith the rolling of strip yet the invention will be illustrated anddescribed as embodied in a strip mill in order to have in view adefinite embodiment of the invention.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a mill plant whichwill have greatly increased eiciency over prior art plants for doing thesame work. This means that for a given production my new plant will costless to build and install, or, with a given cost, my plant will have alarger output. In other words, I aim to provide a strip mill capable ofproducing more strip per dollar invested than any strip mill of theprior art and to provide an extremely iiexible mill capable of producinga wide range of widths on the same mill without necessitating rollchanges or lowering the eiciency of the mill.

To this end I provide a novel arrangement of mill stands and coilers anduse them in a new way in the handling of the strip.

I also employ a new heatv conserving coiler. This coiler is arranged tohold the heat of the hot metal of the strip which is rolled upon it.And, if

desired, additional heat may also be supplied to the coil enclosingchamber.

For the initial passes of the rolling strip I employ a feed table ofnovel construction. This table is provided with a' removable sectionwhich may be displaced with reference to the -other parts so as to makeroom for a coiler.

In the operation of the new arrangement the metal is not always passedback and forth through the mill passes so as to extend out over longtables but at certain times the hot strip is passed to a coiler uponwhich it is coiled for transference to .a new position or otherwise asmay be desired.

Viewed in another way, a roughing mill and feed tables are used to treatthe metal when too stiff to coil andthen when sufficiently reduced,coilers replace the feed tables and take up the strip as it passes backand forth through other mill passes, such as those of a finishing mill.

The shifting of the coiler to occupy loading, un-

loading or other positions also requires new drives for the coilingelements of the coiler.

VAgain, in order` to produce more even ends upon the finished strip, andalso better edges, I also employ roughing rolls which are cut in such a.way as to give the strip as it travels through the passes of the mill across-section in which the edges are much thicker than the interveningportion. As the strip is reduced these relations are maintained for anumber of passes and then the strip is finished into a cross-section ofsubstantially uniform thickness throughout.

Another feature resides in coiling the strip with 5 its ends always atthe centers of the coils while applying or conserving heat so as toregulate the temperature of the strip. Heat is preferably applied to aheat insulating enclosure for the coil both before and after the coil isformed therein.

Stillanother feature resides in the use of a novel roll drive employingslip clutch means. This drive allows an improved product by permittingone of two or more rolls to ride free and yet prevents injury to theequipment by positively driving in case any condition arises which wouldtend to stop the roll capable of the free travel under normalconditions.

The various features, objects and advantages of the invention will bemore fully understood upon reference to the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings, wherein a hot strip mill plant isdescribed and .illustrated as a preferred embodiment of the invention,while for a measure of the scope of the invention reference should behad to the appended claims.

In said drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating arolling mill plant for use in rolling hot metal strip, the plant beingconstructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention. Fig.2 is a central section through the roughing mill, the plane of sectionbeing indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar sectionthrough the finishing mill. the plane of section being indicated by theline 3--3 35 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4'is a plan view of the motor drive of themill rolls. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the mill and drive. Fig. 6 isan elevation illustrating the passes of the rolls of the roughing mill.Fig. 'l is a partial sectional elevation of one of the rolls of thefinishing mill. Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the telescopicshafts which drive the parts of one of the -coilers, the plane ofsection being indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a partialsectional view of one of these shafts, showing the keyed connectionwhichallows free longitudinal movement. Fig. 10 is a sectional view ofreversing gearing associated with the mill and coilers, the plane orsection being indicated by the line Ill- I0 of Fig. l. Fig. 11 is atransverse sectional view of the same, the plane of section beingindicated by the line ll-I I of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a partial sectionalview of another portion of the same gearing,the plane of section beingindicated by the line I2--I2 of Fig. 1. Fig. l3is an 55 end view of oneset of gears having to do with the driving of a coiler, the casing overthe gearing being shown in section, the plane of section being indicatedby the line l3i3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional View ofthe same gearing, the plane of section being indicated by the line I-Iof Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an end elevation of one of the heat conservingcoilers and associated pinch rolls, part of the insulating enclosurebeing broken away. Fig. 16 is a partial sectional view of the same, theplane of section being indicated by the line IE--IB of Fig. 15. Fig. 17is an elevation of the coiler viewed from the right as the parts areseen in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a plan view of one of the bridging sectionsof the feed table associated with the roughing mill. Fig. 19 is acentral vertical section of the same, the plane of section beingindicated by the line lil- I9 of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a side elevation ofa bridging section and an associated coiler and other parts illustratingparticularly the way in which the bridging section and coiler are movedto and fro relative to the loading and unloading positions before theroughing and nishing mills. Fig. 21 is an elevation of modified roughingrolls, there being six passes shown. Fig. 22 is a similar view ofmodified finishing rolls, also showing six passes. And Fig. 23 is asimilar view of three-high finishing rolls, providing only two passesand being free of collars. Throughout these views like characters referto like parts.

In order to obtain a general idea of the structure of the plant, thevarious parts may be briefly `referred to while examining moreparticularly Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. As there shown, thereis a roughing mill RMl and a finishing mill FM located end to end. Inline with the roughing mill passes are the front table FT and the reartable RT. 'Ihe table FT is adjacent to the furnace F and is positionedso as to receive the work directly from the furnace. Associated with thetable FT is an edger E. The strip as it travels along the table FT maybe passed through the edger as desired to give the strip a proper widthand edge treatment.

As the strip advances along the feed table FT, it passes over a frontbridge FB, which normally closes a gap in the table FT, and continues onto the roughing mill RM. As the piece approaches the mill, it passesthrough a pair of pinch rolls P1. On leaving the mill RM the piecepasses over the rear bridge RB of the rear feed table RT. When the piecehas completed its course through the rst pass of the roughing mill RM,it is returned through the rear pinch rolls P2 and on through the secondpass of the mill RM. At such time the work may be passed over the top ofthe edger E along the table FI. A return of the strip is then madethrough the third pass of the mill RM and nally it is brought throughthe fourth pass. At this time it is not allowed to pass over the tableFT but is coiled up on the front coiler FC, this coiler having beenmoved by the front drum FD so as to replace the bridge FB in the path oftravel of the work.

After the work has been coiled up by the coiler FC, then the latter ismoved back into its position in line with the finishing mill FM. At thesame time the bridging section FB is also brought back into line withthe main portion of the table-FI. When the front coiler FC is in properposition before the finishing mill FM, then the end of the coiled workis passedV between the pinch rolls P3 and on through the first pass ofthe finishing mill FM. As `it emerges from the latter it is passed intothe rear coiler RC and wound into a coll therein. From the coiler RC thework is then forwarded through the rear pinch rolls P4 and on throughthe second pass of the mill FM and is again coiled up on the coiler FC.If there be but two passes in the finishing mill, then this operationlcompletes the operations on the work and leaves it as a coiled finishedstrip. The coil is then removed from the coiler FC.

Obviously the particular course pointed out need not be followed inevery instance. It will be apparent that the number of passes in thedifferent mills might be other than indicated and the coilers might bebrought into operation at diierent times. In 'some instances the rearcoiler RC would be the first one to wind up the strip. When so used, themovement of the coiler RC into the bridge gap would follow thedisplacement of the rear bridge RB from its normal position, whichdisplacement would be brought about by the rear drum RD and theassociated connections.

'Ihe various parts of the plant may be drivenin various ways. In theillustrated embodiment, the front table is driven by motor M1, the reartable by motor M2, the front coiler shifting drum by motor M3, the rearcoiler shifting drumby motor M4,t1ie main mill by the main motor M5 andthe edger by a motor M6. A suitable gear train GT acts between the mainmotor and the mill rolls.

At the other end of the aligned rolls, a reversing gear RV is employedto' control the direction of rotation of the coilers and pinch rollswhich derive their power from the adjacent mill rolls through front andrear gear boxes FG and RG, associated with suitable shafting. Havinggiven this general view of the plant and its operation,

attention may now be directed to the details of l the variousmechanisms.

The roughing mill RM and finishing mill FM may be of any desiredconstruction. These mills together with the driving arrangements shownare merely typical. In the case of the roughing mill, the housings 30are mounted upon supporting shoes 3! and maintained in spaced relationby suitable separators 32. Screw-down mechanisms 33 are also associatedwith each housing and operate upon the roll bearing boxes as usual. Theroughing rolls 34, 35 and`36 Iare suitably mounted in the housings 30.As here shown,v they are provided with cylindrical contacting surfacesin the form of end collars 31, and intermediate collars 39. As usual,the various end and intermediate collars on the three rolls engage eachother during the operation of the rolls and provide passes for thematerialbeing worked upon. These passes include a rst pass 46 betweenthe rolls 34 and 35, a second pass 41 between the rolls 35 and 36, athird pass 48 between the rolls 34 and 35, and a fourth pass 49 betweenthe rolls 35 and 36. As clearly shown in the same figure, the pass 46 islarger than the other passes, the pass 41 is next in size, the pass 48is still smaller, and the pass 49 is the smallest of the series. It willbe noted that the roll surfaces which provide these passes are notcylindrical but are curved in longitudinal contour so that each pass hasan enlarged space at each end.' Thus, in the case of the pass 46, thereare the enlarged end portions 50; in the pass 41, the somewhat smallerenlarged portions 5|; in the pass 48, the still smaller bulbous portions52; and in the pass 49, the bulbous portions 53 which are the smallestof the series. The screw-down mechanisms 33 are, of course, merely usedto hold the roll bearing.

aoraoo y 3 ings so that the Various cylindrical portions willoperatively engage each other throughout the complete rotations of therolls and thus maintain the passes 46, 4l, d8 and i9 exact.

With this arrangement, the hot metal strip, after being given a properwidth by the edger E comes to the pass 46 and is put through it with theresult that the strip is shaped in cross-section like the pass and hastherefore thickened edges. As the metal passes through the pass lil,-the thickness of all portions of the strip are further reduced. When thethird pass i8 is reached, the strip, having been narrowed downpreviously by passage through the edger, is given a somewhat differentcross-section, viz., one which is a little thicker in the middle and notquite so bulbous at its ends. In the final passage, through the fourthpass @9, the metal strip is still further reduced in thickness and theedges brought to a thickness but slightly 'greater vthan that at thecenter. Thus, the strip, as it emerges from the fourth pass closelyapproaches a at strip. The passing of the strip during its reductionthrough these thick-edge producing passes of the roughing mill avoidsstrains in the edges as there is a natural tendency for the metal toelongate more at the edges than in the middle. By thus increasing thedraft upon the edges in each succeeding pass, the strip is broughtgradually into complete alignment and split or cracked edges orlaminated edges are avoided. Of course,` in some types of-metal,stresses in the strip need not be avoided. Skelp is an example.Therefore, in such cases flat passes may be used, if desired.

As we shall see later, the strip goes from this last roughing pass intothe passes of the finishing mill FM and is there reduced to size. Thenumber of roughing passes used may be different than just described. Insome instance/s, only three of the passes shown may be used. In otherinstances, the rolls may be diierently divided in length soy as to givemore passes. The number of roughing passes used, however, is always suchas to reduce the strip suii'iciently to permit .coil- Usually, it is putthrough four or five passes and then it is coiled and transferred to thefinishing mill.

When we come to the finishing mill FM, we have a metal structure similarto the mill itil/I..4

Here, there are housings 56, separators 51 and screw-down mechanisms 58.There are alsol three rolls 59, 6U and 8i. The rolls in this case are'cylindrical throughout and the center roll 60 is of smaller diameterthan the upper and lowe'r rolls 59 and 6i. The screw-down mechanisms 58are used, as usual, to position the reducing rolls so as to keep theirengaging collars in opera ative contact throughout the successive rollrotations. In the instance illustrated, the rolls have only two collars62 each.' The larger pass is the pass 63, between the rolls 55 and 60,and the smaller pass is the pass 84, between the rolls 60 and 6 I.Obviously, when the strip of metal leaves the roughing mill RM and isbrought to' the fl ishing mill FM it is rst put through pass 63 whichreduces the thickness of the strip over what it was upon leaving thefourth pass of the roughlng mill. duces the thickness of the strip andincreases` its length.

When it comes to the drives for 'the mill rolls, two sets of pinions arepreferably used in association with suitable driving spindles as isusual in rolling mill practice. One set of pinions includes threepinions and the other set two pinions.

The second pass 65 still further re- In the three pinion set there aresuitable pinion housings 6l which are properly mounted upon the baseshoes 3i and held in spaced relation by separators t8. The pinions ofthis set are three in number and include an upper pinion 69, anintermediate pinion 'lil and a lower pinion li. Driving power is appliedto the central pinion l@ through a spindle 12. The three spindles areconnected respectively to the three roughing rolls 3ft, 35, $6 byspindles I3, 'l and 15. The finishing mill rolls 59 and 6i are drivendirectly from the roughing rolls 3Q and 36 through the agency ofspindles 16 and Ti. In order to apply power to the central' nishing roll68, a special slip clutch construction is employed. This is located inthe roll 68, or pinion, or spindle.

The two pinion set includes housings 'i8 mounted upon the base 3l andproperly spaced by one or more separators 19. The pinions 88 and 8i aresuitably journaled in the housings 'i8 and intermesh. The pinion 8i isdriven4 directly vfrom the lower nishing roll 6i through the agency of aspindle 82. The intermediate finishing roll 60 is in turn driven frompinion 86 through the agency of a spindle.83.

The finishing roll 68 is the roll which employs the slip clutchmechanism as before noted. This mechanism is identical with thatdisclosed in D. W. Lloyds United States Patent No. 1,850,510,

granted March 22, 1932, for a clutch. This slip clutch arrangement isillustrated more particularly in Fig. 7, and, as there shown, comprisesa central shaft or axle 86 and an outer sleeve 85 which carries thefinishing roll face and the end collars 62. These parts bear the samerelation to each other as the shaft and the sleeve member of theaforesaid United States patent. In '7, one cooperating spring 88 isillustrated. Springs, like the spring 86 shown, correspond to thesprings of said patent.

The lower pinion 8| is driven at a uniform speed, imparted to it by thefinishing roll 6i acting through the spindle 82. The pinion 8l thenimparts motion to the pinion 88 and the latter through the spindle 83 tothe shaft 8d of the roll 6.8. The latter through the slip clutch actiondrives the outer strip engaging vmember 85. The slip clutcharrangementallows the sleeve member 85 to 'outrun or overrun the shaftl or-axle 8d.In this way the roll 68, that is to say, the sleeve 85 of the roll,adjusts itself readily in peripheral speed to the speed of the workpassing between it and the upper roll 59 intheone case and between itand the lower roll 6i in the other case. Put in another way, the slipclutch means allows the central roll sleeve to have the same peripheralspeed as the upper and lower rolls Thus, the speeds of the roll surfacesare equal. The result is friction rolling. A better grade` of strip isproduced by rolling in this way. There is perfect coordination of therolls in the stand. f2 f It should be noted that by reason of the clutcharrangement between the axle 84 and the sleeve 85 of roll 60, it is notpossible ,by any jamming of the work to absolutely stop the roll 68.Should an entirely free roll be used, then the roll might be burned atthe point of contact with the hot bar with a consequent loss both incobble and spoiled roll. The use of the clutch insures the parts againstsuch damage. The peripheral speed of the intermediate roll is slightlyless than that of the rest of the rolls,say five per cent,V

that is to say, the driven speed of the slip clutch 1 roll is, say,veper cent slower than that of the other rolls, except when the frictiondrive is working. The diiference in the driven speeds is arranged byhaving the numbers of teeth in the i driving gear wheels differ.

As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, the power required todrive thecoilers and pinch rolls is taken off of the pinions 80 and 8|and given a proper direction of rotation, both forward and back, throughthe associated reversing mechanism RV.

The power equipment for driving the mill rolls. as before indicated,comprises an electric motor M5 mounted upon asuitable base 88 andassociated with the gear train GT. The latter includes a suitable frame89 mounted upon the same base. The frame 89 is provided with bearingsfor a shaft 9| which is directly connected to the shaft of motor M5through a coupling 92. The shaft 9| is provided with a pair of flywheels 93 located at itsopposite ends. This shaft is also provided witha pinion 94 which is keyed to the shaft and meshes with a gear wheel 95mounted on an intermediate shaft 96. The latter shaft is also providedwith a pinion 91 that meshes with a gear wheel 98 keyed or otherwisesuitably secured to a shaft 99. The latter shaft is provided at itsouter end with a coupling |00 which is used to connect the shaft 99 withthe spindle 12 to drive the central pinion 10 at the roughing mill endof the plant. The gear train GT, in-

cluding the pinions 94 and 91 yand gear wheels 95 and 98, is suitablyinclosed in a casing |0| carried upon the base 88. The gearing by whichthe speed of the motor M5 is reduced before being applied to the rollsof the mill, may be varied throughout a wide range. Indeed, any suitablegear mechanism for the purpose will suffice. I As before indicated, thepower for driving coilers FC and RC is, in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated, derived from the mill drive. As clearly shown,these coilers and the associated pinch rolls are" driven from a shaft|00 which extends at right angles to the axis of the mill rolls. Asbefore pointed out, reversing mechanism RV is associated at a pointadjacent to the pinions 80 and 8|, and operates between the .same andthe shaft |04, to drive it in forward or reverse directions as may benecessary. The pinion 80 is connected through a spindle |05 to a shaft|06 mounted in suitable standards |01 and |08 spaced apart and suitablysecured to a base |09. In like manner the pinion 8| is connected througha spindle 0 to a shaft mounted in bearings in the same standards |01 and|08. The shaft |06 carries a sprocket wheel ||2 which cooperates with asprocket chain H3. The latter engages similar teeth upon a similar butsomewhat larger sprocket wheel 4 secured to a sleeve hub ||5 mounted forrotation upon the Yshaft The sprocket wheel ||2 has clutch teeth |22 atone end and constitutes a clutch member secured to the shaft |06.Similarly, the

hub |5 of the sprocket wheel ||4 has clutch teeth |23 at one end andconstitutes a clutch member rotatably mounted upon shaft As clearlyshown, these shafts and associated rotary parts are provided with rollerbearings. Thus, in the case of shaft |06 there are the rollers H6.Again, the hub member ||5 is provided with .rollers ||1 in its bearingwithin the member |08. Furthermore the interior of the hub member ||5 isprovided with rollers ||8 and ||9. In a similar way the mounting of theshaft |08 I .u in the bearing member |08 may be provided with a rollerbearing |20 and in like manner the shaft is provided with a rollerbearing |2| Where it is mounted within the member |08.

Cooperating with the clutch teeth |22 on the pinion ||2 and the clutchteeth |23 on. the hub 5 member ||5 are.the toothed clutch members |30and |3|. The clutch member 30 has feathered connection with the shaft|06 so that it may be moved longitudinally thereof to bring its clutchteeth into and out of engagement with the clutch 10 teeth |22 on pinion||2. In like manner, the clutch member l 3| has feathered connectionwith the shaft and is movable longitudinally thereof to engage with andbe disengaged from the clutch teeth |23 of the hub member 5 which l5carries the sprocket wheel H4. The member |30 is provided with aperipheral slot |24 in which projections 25 on a fork |26 on a clutchlever |21, are free to travel as the clutch ,member |30 rotates with theshaft |00. In like manner, a 20 groove |28 cooperates with projections|29 upon a second fork |32 formed on the same clutch lever |21. Thelever 21 is supported by a pivot pin |33 whichis secured to twoprojections |34 extending laterally from the bearingvmember |08. 25

Since the pivot pin |33 is positioned between` the forks |26 and |32, itfollows that, when the lever |21 is moved, the members |30 and |3| movein opposite directions. Thus, viewing the parts as they appearin Fig.l0, if the lower end of the lever 21 be moved to the right, then clutchmember |30 will be thrown into clutching engagement with the sprocketpinion 2 and the clutch member |3| will be thrown still further awayfrom engagement with the member ||5. On the other hand, if the lowermember of the lever |21 be moved to the left, then the upper clutchmember |30 will be thrown out of clutching engagement and the lowerclutch member |3| will be .thrown into clutching engagement. 40

It therefore follows that since the spindles |05 and 0, connecting withthe pinions and 8| respectively, rotate in opposite directions, then,when the clutch member |30 is in clutching engagement with pinion ||2,the hub l5 will be ro- 45 ktated in the same direction as the spindle|05. On the other hand, if the clutching connection be establishedthrough clutch member |3|, then the direction of rotation of the spindle||0, which was opposite to thatof spindle |05, will be transmitted 50directly to the hub H5, vand consequently the latter will be rotated inthe same direction as the spindle ||0 and in the opposite direction tolthe spindle |05.l

The outer end of the hub ||5 which is really 55 a sleeve of considerablelength, is provided with a beveled gear pinion |36. 'Ihe latter may berotated in either direction by a simple throwing of the clutch lever |21as just explained. The beveled pinion |36 meshes with and drives ac'ooperon ating pinion |31 on the shaft |04 which it will be rememberedis the shaft through which the coilers and pinch rolls are operated.This shaft carries additional bevel gear wheels |38 for operating thecoilers and similar gear wheels |39 65 for operating the pinch rolls.These pinions are all secured to the shaft |04 which is suitablyjournaled in bearings formed in supports |40 which in the presentinstance are carried by a structure of metal channels |4|, |42 suitablysecured 70` to a transverse channel iron |43. The latter structure isshown more particularly in Fig. 12 and it will be seen that the member"|43 which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the shaft |04supportsA a bearing member |44 for a 75' corresponding directions.

rotated to actuate the pinch rolls. The latter shaft may be that shaftwhich carries either the upper or the lower one of the pinch rolls ofeach pair. For certainty of illustration, the shafts |46 are shown asthe shafts of the lower rolls of the yfour sets of pinch rolls P1, P2,P3 and P4. The

shaft |46 associated with pinch rolls P1, PZ is journaled in suitablebearings in supporting members |50. Similarly, the shaft |46 associatedwith the pinch rolls P3, P4 is journaled in bearings in supportingmembers |5|.

As before noted, thel coilers FC and RC are both driven from the shaft|04. In each instance there is a gear box employed, in one'instance thegear box FG and in the other 'the gear box RG. In'Fi'gs. 13 and 14 the,detailed'structure of one of these boxes is shown. The structure isthatof the front gear box FG. This box is provided with a framestructure comprising a base |52 and two spaced uprights |53. The latterare provided with bearings for shafts |54, |55 and |56. To these'shaftsare keyed three intermeshing gear wheels |51, |58 and |58, respectively.The ends of these three shafts extend beyond the base |52 and areconnected to corresponding shafts |60, |6| and |62 by universal joints|63 which are identical in the three cases. The shafts |60, |6| and |62are extended from the gear box to the adjacent coiler. In the case underconsideration these shafts extend to the moving parts of the frontcoiler FC. Power is transmitted from the shaft |04 to the shaft |55through the associated bevel gear wheel |38 and a cooperating bevelpinion |64. It will be seen that the rotation of the shaft |04 in eitherdirection will be instrumental in driving the three shafts |60, |6| and|62 in Thus, if the shaft |04 be rotated so as to move shaft |55counter-clockwise, as the parts are viewed in Fig. 13, then the shafts|54 andl 56 will be moved clockwise. 'I'his means that the shaft |6|will be moved counterclockwise and the shafts |60 and |62 movedclockwise. With the driving shaft |04 operating in the oppositedirection, then the three shafts of the sets mentioned would beoppositely rotated. The shaft |55 is shown mounted in roller bearings|65 and |66. It will be understood that similar roller bearings may beemployed for the shafts |54 and |56.

The shafts which extend from the gear box FG to the front coiler FC,that is to say, the shafts |60, |6|, |62, are telescopic. Thistelescopic construction is provided since the coiler box FG is fixed inlocation and the coiler FC is mounted so as to be shifted back and forthupon supporting rails and driving connection must be maintained in allpositions of the coiler. The telescopic construction of the shafts maytake any one of a number of different forms. In the present instance, asshown more particularly in Figs. 8 andv 9, each shaft is provided with acentral shaft member |61 and an outer sleeve member |68. These areprovided with longitudinal feathers |69. Each feather may be fixed inthe inner member |61 and reciprocate in a slot in the outer member |68or Vice versa. It will be seen that, with the arrangement shown, the twoparts of the Shaft will move together when rotating, and it will also beseen that the two parts may be extended or forced together in telescopicfashion in order to provide different shaft lengths. When the coiler isin the position illustrated in Fig. 1, then the shaft parts |61 and |68willbe most completely'telescoped. When the coiler is in position toreceive from the roughing mill RM then the telescopic shaftparts will bemost fully extended. As clearly shown in Fig. 16, the shafts |60, |6|and |62 are connected through other universal joints |10 with thecoiler'rollers |1|, |12 and`l13, respectively. This brings us to aconsideration of the coiler and its operations.

The front coiler FC will be described in detail, it-being unnecessarythen to describe the rear coiler RC, since both coilers are the sameexcept that certain parts are reversed as clearly indicated in Fig. 3.The coiler FC comprises two upright frames or housings |16 mounted upona base frame |11 consisting of longitudinal members .|18

and transverse members |18. At the four corners of the frame |11 aredepending projections |80 which preferably are extensions of thetransverse members |19. These projections |80 have the longitudinalmembers |18 secured to them and both are apertured where they overlap toprovide bearings for wheel axles |82. Each axle carries two flangedwheels |83,'one at each end of the axle. These wheels travel in a coilertrack made up of channels |84 which have their flanges extending towardeac'h other. In this way the frame |11 and all that it carries is freeto travel to and fro in the direction of the channel irons |84,`

said direction being substantially parallel to the axis of the millstands. The coiler track has its channel rails |84 carried upon angleirons |93 which constitute rail ties. Tie plates |94 serve to secure therails to the ties. being metal may be secured together in any sultableway, as, for example, by electric welding.

It will be apparent that/the upper flanges of these angle rails |84,which normally are but a short distance -above the wheels |83, willengage the latter in case the coiler should be pulled upon in thefeeding or withdrawing of the strip so as to tilt it and thus raise thewheels |83 on the one side out of engagement with the lower flanges ofthe rails and into engagement with the upper anges. This action of therails upon the wheels gives strength to the coiler and its mountingwithout giving the coiler itself great weight, such. as would berequired to. keep it resting upon standard railroad rails.

The coiler frame uprights |16 are secured to the base |11 in anysuitable way as by means of bolts |85. As shown, the uprights |16comprise upper sections |86 and lower sections |81 which are securedtogether by bolts |88. The sections |81 support bearings for thejournals of the rolls of v the coiler. As shown, the rolls and |13 havetheir journals in boxes upon transverse members |89 secured to themembers |81 by bolts |90 or the like. Similarly, additional bearingmembers |8| are mounted for vertical adjustment within the respectivehousing members |81. Guides |92 are bolted to the members |81 on eitherside of each member ISI. These members |9| also provide bearings for thejournals of the roller |12. The holding rollers |85 are likewisejournaled at their ends in said bearing members |8I. As clearly shown,these rollers |85 are `spaced apart and form a support for the coil ofstrip as the same is coiled up by the three coiling rollers |1|, |12`and |13` All these parts As previously noted, the three coiling rollers51|, |12 and |13 are driven by the telescopic shafts |60, |6| and |62through the universal joint connections |6| at one end of the coilingrolls. At the other end of these coiling rolls, there is a train ofgears arranged to drive the holding rollers by power received throughthe upper bending roll |12. This train of gearing includes a pinion |96secured to the end of the roller |12. The pinion |96 coacts with anintermediate gear wheel |91 which is secured to a stud shaft |08suitably mounted in the adjacent bearing member 10|. The gear wheel|91in turn meshes with a somewhat largergear wheel which is likewisejournaled on a stud shaft 200 mounted in the same bearing member |9|.The gear wheel |09 in turn meshes with two gear wheels 20| mounted uponthe ends of the holding rollers |05. The latter wheels 20| are not 0necessary to the driving of the forming rolls 11| and |12 but will serveas an additional means to keep them traveling uniformly and steadily.

It will be seen that with lthe various rolls and rollers arranged anddriven as shown, the strip, as it passes through the coiling rolls, willbe given a set which will change its direction of travel and cause it tomove upward and form into a coil above the holding rollers. In otherwords, the forming rolls give the strip a definite curvature,

0 then the strip as it is shoved forward coils itself.

A strip 202 is shown in the process of forming a coil. This strip may bereadily started ,through the coiling rolls |11, |12 and |13'and whenonce started will freely travel upward within the housing 203 and withinthe latter continue in its spiral travel and come into engagement withthe holding rollers |95 which will substantially support the formingcoil as it moves. A centerless coil is thus produced.

The gear train through which the holding rollers are driven will causethese rollers to travel in a direction agreeing with that required forthe formation of a coil. Thus, if We view the parts as shown in Fig. 15,and assume that the strip 202 is being fed in the direction indicated bythe arrow, then rollers |1| and |13 will rotate clockwise and roller |12will rotate counter-clockwise.

These directions will be in accord with the direction of travel of thestrip through these forming rolls and tend to advance it. Following outthe directions of the different wheels of the train of gearing it willbe found that in the assumed case, the holding rollers |95 will both berotated clockwise. This will be in proper direction to carry forward thestrip in the formation of the coil contacting these rollers. And, asthis is true for the front coiler FC it will also be true for the rearcoiler RC, should the latter be unwinding while the front coiler iscoiling.

In order to hold the bearing members |9| in proper position inhousings|81l a suitable screwdown mechanism is provided. This mechanism includestwo vertical shafts 206 which are Journaled at their lowerends in thrustbearings 204 formed in the housing members |86. 'I'hese shafts extendfreely through guide openings 205 in the housing members |86 and havetheir upper ends threaded for the reception of apertured heads 201 whichact as nuts and travel up and down in response to rotations of theshafts 206. The heads 201 are respectively connected by rods 2|4 to thebearing members |9|, two such rods for each member. As a result of thisconstruction a rotation of the shafts 206 will cause up and downmovement of the bearing members 9| and the associated boxes. In this waythe mountings of the diiferent rolls and rollers may be readilyadjusted. When loosened up, the various rollers may be removed orotherwise worked upon, as may be found necessary for replacement orrepair.

The screw rods 206 are preferably operated in unison as is customary inscrew-down mechanisms. Accordingly the upper ends of the rods 206 carrybevel gear wheels 208 and these mesh with other gear wheels 209 securedto a transverse shaft 2|0, suitably journaled in arms 2|| projectingfrom the housing frames |86. A hand wheel 212, on one end of the shaft2|0 enables the shaft 2|0 to be rotated by hand. As a result, the rods206 are rotated with the results just described.

Obviously, the screw-down mechanism may be operated to raise the bearingmembers |91 whenever it is necessary, as may be the case when firstintroducing the end of the strip into position between the forming rolls|1| and |12 and the rolls |12 and |13. Once started, the members |9| maybe lowered, that is to say, the roll |12 may be lowered and thepositioned strip end bent and started in its coiling path.

The heat retaining hood 203 is formed with a semi-circular top 2|1 andvertical ends 2|8 which are substantially parallel. This structureprovides an inner curved surface for the end of the strip to engage, incase it has not been given sucient set as it passes through the coilingrolls 1|, |12 and |13. In other words, the shape of the roof 211conforms to the general outline of the coil as the latter is beingformed. This hood 203 may be variously constructed but must be made ofheat resisting material such as fire clay or the like. This hood, whichconstitutes an insulating enclosure, may be mounted in any desired wayupon the frame structure, provided only that it be so located as toproperly receive the strip to permit of the forming of the coil. Thus,the hood 203 itself may be mounted upon end walls 219 constructed withmaterial of the same heat resisting properties. When so constructed,thev front and rear. of the enclosing casing, below the hood 203, areopen for entry of or access to, the strip, the rolls, rollers, guidesand other parts. During the operation of the coilers where the strip isalternately coiled up, first in one coiler and then in the other, thetemperature of the ends of the strip is maintained fairly constant,inasmuch as the ends are alternately coiled up into the center of thecoil. Thus, for example, when the strip is coiled up in coiler FC, itsfront end will be in the center of the coil and its rear end on theoutside; again, when the strip is coiled up in coiler RC, its rear endwill be in the center of the coil and its front end on the outside.Thus, the ends are alternately coiled in the center of the coil and heatis given each end by the hot central portion of the strip. Thisalternate heating of the strip ends gives the strip a very eventemperature throughout, with the result that the strip receives an evengauge throughout, and roll breakage caused by cold butt ends iseliminated. This accurate control of the temperature of the stripthroughout is a very important -advantage which is obtainable with theplant herein disclosed.

Preferably the upper end of the walls 2|9 are connected by transverseframe members 220 which will form a supporting frame structure whichwill allow the hood 203 to be tilted about pivot pins 22| passingthrough hinge members 222 'hinge members 223 on the hood 203. Theopposite side of the hood is provided with a nub 224 having a flat undersurface such that a bar or the like may be engaged under the same andforced upward to help start the hood in its movement of rotation aboutthe hinge pins 22|. The box is swung up about its hinges and maintainedthere while the coil is rolled out upon a suitable support.

The side Walls 2 9 joined at their upper ends by 'the transverse members220 form a sort of box like base for .the hinged hood which rests uponthe coiler carriage frame |11, the transverse mem- '.bers |19 havingprojections 2|5 which together with the main body of the members |19provide a suitable support for this insulating base.

Preferably the hood 203 is provided with an opening 225 into which apipe 226 may be inserted for the purpose of supplying gas to theinterior of the hood, the gas being used asa fuel to increase thetemperature within the hood. Obviously, the hot metal-itself willradiate heat and the nature of the material of the hood is such that thestrip coiled up within it will be kept at a reasonably high temperatureby the heat coming from the coil itself. If desired, when in service theauxiliary heat supply may be omitted and the opening 225 closed by astopper or other means manually, or otherwise, applied. In the instanceillustrated, the pipe 226 is portable and may be removed when it is notdesired to use auxiliary heat. In regular practice, the box 203 isheated before the strip enters and after it leaves, alternately, andthus that temperature within the hood is maintained which will best suitthe requirements of the job in hand.

Through heat control in the hot box or hood 203, it is possible tocontrol the scale formation on the strip, thus giving the customer thetype of scalel best suited to the case in hand. Thus, steel strip whichis to be pickled or oiled should have a tight red scale.v Strip which isto be cold rolled should have a loose gray scale. These can bereadily'obtained through the use of the hood 203.

The coilers may be variously operated.l Sometimes they will be usedquite regularly taking up the strip after each finishing mill pass whileat other times the coiling may be omitted for one or more passes to givethe metal a chance to cool. This may be necessary in rolling some gradesof steel strip, for example, some requiring to be rolled much colderthan others. Again, the last coiling operation might be omitted and thestrip delivered directly to a hot lbed to be out to specified lengths.

The strip 202 on its way to the coiler FC is ordinarily passed betweenthe pinch rolls P3 which, as clearly shown in Fig. 15, are provided witha screw-down 23| associated with the housings |50.

The strip after passing between the pinch rolls P3 may be variouslyguided so as to be properly presented to the forming rolls |1.| |12 and|13. In the present instance the strip is shown as passing beneath aguide roll 232 and over a guide roll 233. These rollers are mounted insuitable bearings upon a chute 234 which extends from the pinch rolls tothe point of entrance to the'coilenA forming rolls. A curved guide, suchas the guide 235, may also be employ-ed to engage the strip as it leavesthe bending rolls and direct it in its curved spiral path.

Since the bridge FB, associated with the roller table FT, is moved toand fro with the associated coiler FC, it will probably be well toconsider next bridge instance, the bridging structure/FB comprises asuitably supported frame having side members 231, 238 between which arelocated a series of table sections 239. These sections are positioned atthe same level and spaced apart for the interposition of rollers 240.The upper surfaces of the rollers 240 extend slightly above the plane ofthe top surfaces of the table sections 239 and these rollers areactuated to advance the work as it is received upon the table.

Each roller 240 is provided with a shaft and a bevel gear wheel 24| atthe end adjacent to the frame member 238. Each of these bevel gearwheels 24| mesh with a cooperating gear wheel 242 mounted upon the driveshaft 243 which extends along the member 238 and is journaled insuitable supports asis usual in tables of this sort. The shaft 243 isdriven by an electric motor M1 through a suitable sprocket chain 244 orthe like.

It will be apparent that when a strip of metal is placed upon the tableFT, and the rollers are started in movement, the strip will be carriedalong in a direction depending upon the drection of rotation of therollers. The motor M1 is such that it may have its direction of rotationreversed in order to reverse the direction of rotation o f the rollers240, to move the strip toward or from the associated mill RM. Theportion of the table FI opposite the furnace F is provided with a bufferor guide 245 against which the strip may be moved when positioning itupon the roller table. This guide may be variously constructed as may bevwhich extend lengthwise of the coiler tracks |84 associated with thesupporting wheels |83 of the coiler FC. The relation of the rails 249and |84 is shown more particularly in Figs. l5 and 18. On the under sideof the strips 250 are angle plates 25| which may be welded to thechannels |84 and thus provide increased bearing surfaces for the strips250. Rivets 252 extend through the base anges of the rails 249, thestrips 250 and the horizontal flanges of the angle brackets 25| and thussecure the rails 249 to the supporting structure.

AIt should be noted that, inasmuch as the FB, during normal operations,is at times directly before the roughing -rnlll RM, and, again, at othertimes the coiler FC is directly before the mill RM, both tracks |84 and249 must overlap so as to make these movements of the bridge and coilerpossible. By mounting one pair of rails above the other, in the mannerillustrated, the desired operations are obtainable.

The bridge section FB is made tions and intervening rolls just as is themain portion of the table F'I. In the particular embodiment disclosed,there is an intermediate section 253 and end sections 254, theendsections being narrower than the central section 253. These sections arepreferably castings provided with supporting flanges which rest upon a.frame 255 which comprises end members 256 and longitudinal members 251.The frame 255 is mount: ed upon the Wheels 248, suitable dependingbearings 258 being provided for this purpose. The

table rollers'259, which occupy the spaces between the central tablesection 253 and the end table sections 251i, are suitably journaled inbearings 260 formed upon' the car frame 255.` The supporting wheels 268,of which there are two pairs, are secured to axles 26| which arejournaled in the bearings 258.

I n order to positively drive the rollers 259, the latter are providedat the same end with sprocket wheels 262, 263 mounted upon roller shafts264 and 265, respectively. A sprocket chain 256 transmits power from theshaft 265 to the shaft 266.

f The shaft 265 is of considerable length and is journaled in its outerend in a suitable support 266. Near its outer end it is provided with asprocket wheel 261 over which passes a sprocket chain 263. The latterpasses over a driving sprocket wheel 269, secured to a shaft 216suitably journaled in bearings in the support 266 and in an additionalsupport 21|. The shaft 216 is an extension of the shaft of the lastroller 266 of the table FT. As before pointed out, the rollers 226 aredriven from the shaft 263 and since the last of the rollers is' sodriven its shaft 216 is also so driven.

Since the bridge FB must be moved to and fro in the direction of theshaft 265, it is necessary to provide for the maintenance of a drivingconnection for the bridge rollers 259 for all positions of the bridge.This is preferably done by mounting the sprocket wheel 261 upon theshaft 265 with a sliding connection. This may be obtained in variousways, but, in the present instance, is provided by giving the shaft 265a feather key 212, relative to which the sprocket wheel 26ll may not berotated. As shown more particularly in Fig. l, the sprocket wheel 261 isheld in alinement with the sprocket wheel 266, from which it receivesits rotations, by locating the supports 266 and 21| so that they lieclose to opposite sides of the sprocket wheel 261 and prevent its beingdisplaced along its axis, relatively to the driving sprocket wheel 269.rangement, it will be seen that when the bridging section FB is movedout of its position in alinement with the passes of the roughing millRM, the shaft 265 will pass along through the sprocket wheel 261 withoutchanging the rotary functions of the various parts. Similarly, when thebridge is restored to its operative position before the mill, thesprocket wheel 261 will Still be in operative relation with the shaft261 and thus able to drive the rollers 259 of the bridge.

In order to shift the coiler FC and associated bridge FB back and forthin the manner previously indicated, various arrangements may beemployed. In the present instance, however, the drum FD cooperates witha cable or other like flexible member to this end. The cable isfunctionally continuous although made up of a long section 215 and ashort section l216. The short section 216 merely connects the car 255 ofthe bridge member FB to one of the housing members |16 of the associatedcoiler FC, the connection being made through a member 241 which spansthe adjacent gearing on the coiler.

The longer section of the cable passes around the drum FD preferably, inone or more complete turns, and then over an associated sheave 211located just above the drum FD, and finally over another sheave 218located adjacent to, but beyond, the finishing mill, the latter sheavelying beneath the coiler driving shafts` |60, .ISI and |62. One end ofthe cable 215 is connected to the adjacent end of the coiler With thisarframe |11. 'I'hat end of the cable 215 which.

is lnearest the sheave 211 is connected to the adjacent end of the car255 of the bridging section FB. The actuating drum FD and the associatedsheave 211 are suitably journaled in spaced supports 219, mounted upona` base 280, which also carries the motor M3. It will be obvious that,as the motor M3 rotates the drum FD, the cable will draw upon the coilerand bridge and the latter may be shifted back and forth according to therotations given the drum FD; The motor MI3 is a reversible electricmotor and by driving it in one direction or the other the coiler andbridge may be shifted back and forth as re-.

quired.

What has been said about the table FI', the bridge FB, the actuatingdrum vFD and the associated parts and their operations will applyequally to the corresponding parts at the rear of the mill, namely therear table RT, the bridge RB, the drum RD, the pinch rolls P2, P4,A andother parts and the same reference letters may be applied to thecorresponding parts, without the necessity of further description.

Obviously, as before indicated, the roughing mill rollsand the finishingmill rolls may differ in arrangement and in numbers of passes, fromthose heretofore described. Indeed, the design of the rolls may differgreatly in both mills. However, for the purpose of showing possibilitiesin this direction I have illustrated two sets of three-high rolls, onefor use in the roughing mill and the other for use in the finishingmill. These are shown respectively in Figs. 21 and 22 and are arrangedfor a maximum of six passes.

Thus, the roughing rolls 286, 2M and 265 are positioned as indicated andeach roll has end collars 292 and two intermediate collars 293. Thecollars are all of uniform diameter and operatively engage each other soas to maintain exact passes between the rolls. The passes are notbulbous in cross-section as in the case of the previously describedroughing rolls, but are rectangular in cross-section, that is to say,they are flat passes and provide for a uniform thickness throughout thecross-section. In the em- `bodiment illustrated, the largest pass 286lies between the rolls 263 and 284i; the next pass in order of size ispass 281 lying between the rolls 266i and 285 directly beneath the pass286; the

third pass 286 is still smaller than the pass 281 and lies between therolls 283 and 284 and between the intermediate collars 293; the fourthpass 239 is beneath the pass 288 and between rolls 266 and 265; thefifth pass is the pass 290 lying between the rolls 286 and 265. In manyinstances these ve passes will be all that will be required.

In such case the space between the collars 292 and 293 directlyabove'the pass 296 may be left with the same diameter as the adjacentcollars, but, as here illustrated, the same is cut away slightly so asto provide a sixth pass 29| having the least depth of all.. In practice,when these rolls are set so that their collars operatively engage, thestrip may be passed back and forth through the passes in successionproceeding from the largest to the smallest without changing the rollsin any way.

When the strip has been put through all its roughing passes, then itWill be moved to the finishing mill as before explained. 'I'he finishingrolls of Fig. 22 are rolls that may be used with different roughingrolls. In the present instance. however, the finishing rolls of Fig. 22are designed for, and are capable of use with, the

roughing rolls of Fig. 21. The nishlng rolls include an upper roll 296,an intermediate roll 291, and a lower roll 298. The rolls in this caseare provided, as before indicated, with end collars 299 and twointermediate collars 300 in the case of each roll. These collars areofuniorm diameter and bear upon each other as before mentioned and thusmaintain exact passes. In this instance, the passes, running from thelargest to the smallest, are passes 30H, 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306.These lie between the different rolls and between the different collarsas clearly shown. `In this case also, the rolls, when once set so as tobring the cooperating collars 29S. and 300 into proper runningengagement with each other, may be left unchanged and the strip passedsuccessively through the different passes until it is brought to thedesired thickness. In this way the action is like that of a continuousmill. The desired thickness may be obtained after passing the stripthrough but one or two passes of the mill, or any other number, up toand including the sixth and last pass 30S. When the last pass has beentraversed, then the strip cannot be made any thinner upon thatparticular mill. with the roller arrangement shown would givethicknesses corresponding .to the depths of the passes 305, 30d, 303,302 0r 3M according to the number of passes that are used in nishing thestrip.

In instances where there is need of considerable flexibility in thethicknesses that must be produced in the strips, then the rolls whichhave collars upon them may give way to rollers Without collars. Such areshown in Fig. 23. There -a three-high roll arrangement is shown. The

'rolls there shown are the upper roll 309, the intermediate roll 3H) andthe lower roll 3l i. These rolls have cylindrical faces throughout andare adapted to engage throughout the entire width of the rolls.Obviously, with these finishing rolls in service it will be necessary touse the screwdown mechanisms of the finishing mill to set the rolls forthe thickness desired. In such event it may be necessary to adjust therolls after each passage of the strip. Again, the strip may be putthrough-the passes a number of times without changing the roll setting.In the latter event, of course, there would be a different iinish givento the strip. These variations are all possible and will occur topersons skilled in the strip rolling art. What is herel given willillustrate, however, the possibilities in this connection. It will benoted, however, that where the collars are employed on the rolls thereis a great saving of time as it is not necessary to change thescrew-down adjustments between passes.

Of course where the roll lengths are dierent, as, for example, if thelength of the rolls of Figs. 2l, 22 and 23 be longer than those of Fig.l, then the housings would have to be differently spaced, and theseparators 32 or 51 given proper lengths. And there might be otherchanges required to properly position the various mill parts.

As previously pointed out, the handling of the strip while putting itthrough the passes of the roughing mill RM may in some instances requirepassing the strip between the rolls of the edger E and in otherinstances the strip may be passed along the roller table FI' withoutusing the edger E. In the latter case a trough 3|@ is positioned on thetable FT and the frame of the edger E so as to provide inclined surfacesover which the strip may be passed above the edger.

' through the edger with Other thicknesses which are permissible Thetrough 310 is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 2. It is portable sothat it may be placed upon or removed from the roller table and edgeraccording to the requirements. Of course, other ways of guiding thestrip might be provided but what is here presented is typical and shouldsuf- :lice for the purposes of the present disclosure.

The edging mill E may be of any desired construction. That which isillustrated may therefore be replaced by an edger of any other design.The edger in this case comprises a pair of groove'd rolls 315 which aremounted upon vertical shafts suitably journaled in bearings in the frame3|6. The shafts which carry the edging wheels 3i5 are preferably gearedtogether so as to move at the same peripheral speed and in oppositedirections. The passage of the strip the strip edges in the grooves ofthe wheels SI5, results in giving the strip a proper Width. 'Ihe shaftsmay be driven from any suitable source of power such as an electricmotor M6 properly geared to the upright shafts. The details of the edgerare not herein disclosed as the same in itself forms no part of thepresent invention and, furthermore, many different forms of edgers willanswer the purpose. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the edger occupies thespace of a single table section 239, one having been removed from theroller table FT to provide space for the edger. The latter is carriedupon a suitable supporting foundation the same as the table FT.

In operation, the edger E may be brought into service at different timesas desired. Thus, for example, the strip might be put through passes asfollows: first, forward through edger pass,

the guiding trough 3m being removed mean- While; second,- forwardthrough the rst pass of the roughing mill RM; third, back through thesecond pass of the roughing mill, the guide 3i@ being in place now andthe strip passing over the edger; and fourth, forward through the .edgeragain, the guide 314 being again removed to permit the last. The actionof edging the strip in the first pass results in breaking the scale fromthe surface. This scale is removed by means of high pressure water orsteam played on the surface.

From what has been said, it will be seen that byusing rolls havingcollars, and hence passes of iixed cross-section, all the work ofrolling several times, through the same pass is avoided. By continuousoperation, without reversals, there is also a great saving of time. Apractically-continuous operation at uniform speed is obtained, eventhough the roughing and finishing stands be driven at different speeds,as they are, in orderA that the finishing rolls may take care of thematerial produced at the roughing rolls, the nish- `ing rolls providingthe greater peripheral speed by reason of having their diameters greaterthan those of the roughing rolls. It has been estimated that with thedrive herein disclosed, there is a saving equal to twenty per cent (20%)of the entire rolling time. In some circumstances, it might be preferredto drive the roughing'and finishing stands by separatev drives. Then alarger bar might be fed to the roughing passes and the speed of theroughing rolls varied as the metal was worked upon. A variable speedmo-` to-r would then be used to drive the roughing rolls. Thus, theelciency of the mill would be increased and the finishing stand couldoperate at a higher speed. However, with the single drive for the millsRM and FM, the coilers FC cel and RC, and the pinch rolls P1, P2, P3 andP4, there are certain other advantages than those before enumerated. Oneof these, which is important, is the elimination of roll chatter in themills RM and FM, due to the drag which is placed upon the mill rolls byhaving the coilers and pinch rolls driven through them. The drag thusprovided makes for much better iinish on the strip. However, thesediierent ways of driving are merely optional; either may be employed, asdesired.

It should also be noted that after a strip is formed into a coil uponone of the coilers it need not always be fed back through the formingrolls of that coiler, as shown in Fig. 3 but the end of the coil may befreed from the forming rolls and started back through the next millpass; or, again, the -coil might be removed from the coiler altogetherand then started back through the next pass. These are all matters ofjudgment on the part of the operators of the mill plant and may bevaried as heating, cooling or other requirements or conditions mayrequire. 'Ihere will also be many other variations in the handling ofthe metal that will occur to operators skilled in the art. l

Obviously, in carrying out my invention in practical form many otheralterations and modifications may be made in the various machines,machine elements and other parts or in the meththods of use disclosedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I thereforeaim to cover by the terms of the appended claims all those alterationsand modications in structure and in the method of using those structureswhich rightly come within the purview of my invention. y

I claim:

1. In a hot rolling mill plant, roughing and finishing mill standshaving the roll axes in substantial alinement, and front and rearcoilers movable along lines substantially parallel to the axes of saidrolls into and out of alinement with the paths of travel of the workthrough the passes of said stands, respectively.

2. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a nishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, a front coiler and a rear coiler for the work,said coilers being movable in substantially parallel paths on the frontand rear of said stands, respectively, into receiving and dischargingpositions in said lines of travel, and means for moving said coilersback and forth in said parallel paths between said operative positions,said means including winding drums and sheaves and associated cablesoperatively engaging said drums and sheaves and being secured to saidcoilers, respectively.

3. In a hot rolling mill plant, roughing and finishing mill standshaving the roll axes in substantial alinement, front and rear coilersmovable along lines substantially parallel to the axes of said rollsinto and out of alinement with the paths of travel of the work throughthe passes of said stands, respectively, the lines of travel of the workthrough the two stands being substantially parallel, a front coiler anda rear coiler for the work, said coilers being movable in subfstantially parallel paths on the front and rear of said stands,respectively, into receiving and discharging positions in said lines oftravel of the work, and means for moving said coilers back and forth insaid parallel paths between said operative positions. said meansincluding winding drums and sheaves and associated cables operativelyengaging said drums and sheaves and being secured to said coilers,respectively.

4. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a finishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two standsbeingsubstantially parallel, a front coiler and a rear coiler for the work,tracks for said coilers extending respectively in the front and rearoi.' said stands in directions transverse to the lines of travel of thework, each coiler comprising a car having wheels engaging said tracksand adapted to travel thereon, coiling elements on said car, gearing onsaid car for driving said elements, power driven gearing supportedindependently of said car, and ilexible connections between said powerdriven gearing and said driving gearing on said car whereby the lattergearing is driven from the former.

5. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a finishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, a front coiler and a rear coiler for the Work,tracks for said coilers extending respectively in the front and rear ofsaid stands in directions transverse to the lines of travel of the work,each coiler comprising a car having wheels engaging said tracks andadapted to travel thereon, coiling elements on said car, gearing on saidcar for driving said elements, power driven gearing supportedindependently of said car, flexible connections between said powerdriven gearing and said driving gearing on said car whereby the lattergearing is driven from the former, and means for moving each coiler backand forth along its track, said means including a winding drum andassociated cable, said cable operatively engaging said drum at anintermediate point, means for connecting said cable to the coiler car,and an idler sheave cooperating with said cable and being positioned onthe opposite side of said car from said drum.

5. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a nishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, feed -tables in the line of travel of theroughing mill, one on the front and another at the rear, each of saidtables having a gap adjacent to the mill stand, a bridge for each gap,means for moving said bridges into and out of, gap-closing positions,coilers, means for moving said coilers into said gaps when said bridgesare out and viceversa, said coilers being in line with the rolls of thefinishing mill passes when said gaps are closed by said bridges.

'7. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a finishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, feed tables in the line of travel of theroughing mill, one on the front and another at the rear, each of saidtables having a gap adjacent to the mill stand, a bridge for each gap,coilers, means for moving said bridges and coilers alternately into saidgaps, said means including cables and winding drums and idling sheaves,one cable being provided for each coiler and the corresponding bridge.

8. In a rolling mill plant, two mill stands side by side, the lines oftravel of the work through the two stands being substantially parallel,a feed table in the line of work travel of the first of said stands,said table having a removable sectiony a transverse track on which saidsection is adapted to travel to open the gap in said table and to closethe same, and a coiler movable into said gap as said section is removedtherefrom and vice versa, said coiler being positioned in the worktravel line of the second of said stands when said removable sectioncloses said gap.

9. In a rolling mill plant, two mill stands side by side, the lines oftravel of the work through the two stands being substantially parallel,a feed table in the line of work travel of the iirst of said stands,said table having a removable bridging section, a coiler, transversetrack rails on which said section and coiler are adapted to travel toopen and close the gap in said table, and means for moving saidremovable section and said coiler in unison to close said gap, at onetime by said section and at another time by said coiler, the coilerbeing in the work travel line of the second of said stands when saidremovable section closes said gap.

10. In a rolling mill plant, two mill stands side by side, the lines oftravel of the work through the two stands being substantially parallel,a feed table in the line of work travel of the iirst of said stands,said table having a removable bridging section, a coiler, transversetrack rails on which said section and coiler are adapted to travel toopen and close the gap in said table, a cable secured to said coiler andremovable section, and means for moving said cable in alternatedirections to position said coiler and section in said gap as desired,the coiler being in the Work travel, line of the second of said standswhen said removable section closes said gap.

il. In a rolling mill plant, a mill stand, a ieed table in the line ofwork travel through said stand, said table having a removable sectionfor opening and closing a gap in said table adjacent to said stand, atrack extending transversely o said table near said gap, a cable securedto said removable section, and means for pulling on said cable to movesaid section along said track into and out 'of said gap.

l2. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a iinishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, a coiler movable transversely of said lines ofwork travel, a track, said coiler comprising a car having wheelsengaging said track rails and adapted to travel thereon, coilingelements on said car, gearing on said car for driving said elements,power driving gearing mounted independently of said car, and exible'power transmitting connections between said power driving gearing andsaid driving gearing on said car whereby the latter gearing is drivenfrom the former. ,f

13. In a rolling mill plant, a/mill stand, a -eed table in the line ofwork travel through said stand, said table having a removable sectionfor opening and closing a gap in said table adjacent to said stand, acoiler, track rails extending transversely of said table near said gap,said removable section being movable along certain of said track milsinto and out of gap closing position and said coiler being movable alongcertain of said track rails into and out oi said gap alternately withsaid removable section,'a cable secured to said coiler and removablesection, and means for pulling on said cable to move said coiler andremovable section into said gap alternately.

14. In a rolling mill plant. a mill stand, a feed table in the line di,work travel through said stand, said table having a fixed frame, tablesections secured to said frame with intervening spaces between them,advancing rollers journaled in said frame and occupying for driving saidrollers to advance the work placed on the table, said table having a gapat one point in its length, a movable conveying structure for bridgingsaid gap, said bridging structure .including a plurality oftablesections with intervening propelling rollers, gearing between saidpropelling rollers, and adjustable driving connections between therollers of said structure on the one handv and the advancing rollers ofsaid frame on the other hand whereby the structure rollers are kept ingear with the table rollers in all positions of said structure bothWithin and outside of said gap.

15. In a rolling mill plant, a feed table in the line of work-travelthrough said stand, said table having a xed frame, table sectionssecured to said frame with intervening spaces between them, advancingrollers journaled in said frame and occupying said spaces, means fordriving said rollers to advance the Work placed on the table, said tablehaving a gap at one point in its length, a movable conveying structurefor bridging said gap, said bridging structure including a supportingframe, spaced table sections secured to said supporting frame,propelling rollers journaled in said supporting frame and occupying thespaces between thetable sections, and driving gearing between a maintable roller and a roller on said supporting frame, said gearingincluding telescopic members to permit movement of said structure intoand out of said gap without interrupting the driving connection withsaid driving gearing.

16. In a rolling mill plant, a mill stand, a feed said spaces, meansvmill stand, a-

table in the line of Work travel through said stand, said table having afixed frame, table sections secured to said frame with interveningspaces between them, advancing rollers journaled in said frame andoccupying said spaces, means for driving said rollers to advance theWork placed on the table, said table having a gap at one point in itslength, a movable conveying structure forl bridging said gap, transverse track rails, said bridging structure including a. supportingframe, wheels on said frame adapted to engage and travel on said rails,spaced table sect-ions secured to said supporting frame, propellingrollers journaled inl said supporting frame and occupying the spacesbetween the table sections, and driving gearing between a main tableroller and a roller on said supporting frame, said gearing includingtelescopic members to permit movement of said structure into and out ofsaid gap without interrupting the driving connection with said drivinggearing.

17. In a mill plant, a mill stand, a feed table inthe line of travel ofthe work through said stand, said table having a gap, a bridge forclosing said gap', a coiler movable into said gap to replace the bridgethereof, said coiler having three cooperating coiling rolls, gear wheelskeyed to said rolls and being movable with the coiler, a set of'threegear wheels mounted on a iixed support, three telescopic shafts andthree sets of cooperating universal joints, connecting the three gearwheels on the fixed support to the corresponding three gear wheels'onthe coiler,

and means for driving the former and through them and the telescopicshafts. the three rolls of said coiler.

18. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a finishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, "feed tables in the `line of travel of theroughing mill, one at the front and another at the rear, each of saidtables having a gap adjacent to the mill stand, a bridge for each gap,means for moving said bridges into and out of gap closing positions,coilers, means for moving said coilers into said gaps when said bridgesare out and vice versa, said coilers being in line with the rolls of thefinishing mill passes when said gaps are closed by said bridges, andsaid coilers each having a heat insulating enclosure for the coilwhereby the heat of the hot metal is retained during rolling operationswherein the coilers are employed.

19. In a rolling mili plant, two mill stands side by side, the lines oftravel of the work through the two stands being substantially parallel,a feed table in the line` of work travel of the first of said stands,said table having a removable section, a transverse `traclr on whichsaid section is ad'apted to travel to open the gap in said table and toclose the same, a coiler movable into said gap as said section isremoved therefrom and vice versa, said coiler, being positioned in thework travel line of the second of said stands when said removablesection closes said gap, and said ycoilers each having a heat insulatingenclosure for the coil whereby the heat 0f the hot metal is retainedduring rolling operations wherein the coilers are employed.

20. Incombination, a mill, feed tables in the line of travel of themill, one at the front and another at the rear, said tables being ofsuch character as to support a at piece of work from the time ofissuance thereof from between the rolls of the mill until it has beenfed back through the mill, the tables being effective to support thework while it is relatively thick and in an uncoiled state, sections ofthe tables being removable laterally of the axis of said tables to leavegaps therein, coilers adapted to automatically reel in and pay out theWork rolled on the mill when the same has been thinned and elongated,and other work handling means positioned to one side of said tables,said coilers being movable into different operating positions, oneposition being in said gaps wherein said coilers are Y in operativerelation to said mill to reel in and pay out the work after it has beensufficiently thinned and elongated by said mill, and the other positionbeing before said other work handling means wherein the coilers aresimilarly operative to reel in and pay out the work in con- `iunctionwith the operation of said means, said coilers in the latter event beingout of the way of other work pieces traveling along said tables,including said sections replaced therein, and being fiat rolled by saidmill.

21. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill, feed tables in theline of travel of said roughing mill, one at the front and another atthe rear, said tables being of such character as to support a. fiatpiece of work from the time of issuance thereof from between the rollsof said roughing mill until it has been fed back again through the samemill, the tables being effective to support the work while it isrelatively thick and in an uncoiled state, sections of said tables beingmovable laterally of the axis of said tables to leave gaps therein, asecond mill having a line of travel substantially parallel to the lineof travel of said roughing mill, said two mills being positioned side byside with their roll axes in substantial alinement, a front coiler, anda rear coiler, both said coilers being adapted to reel in and pay outwork when the same has been thinned and elongated as aforesaid, saidcoilersv being movable in substantially parallel paths on the front andrear of said alined mills into reeling in and paying out positionsrelative to said mills alternately.

22. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill, feed tables in theline of travel of said roughing mill, one atthe front and another at therear, said tables being of such character as to support a flat piece ofWork from the time of issuance thereof from between the rolls of saidroughing mill until it has been fed back again through the same mill,the tables being effective to support the work while it is relativelythick and in an uncoiled state, a section of one of said tables beingremovable laterally of the line of travel of the table to leave a gaptherein, a second mill positioned adjacent to said roughing mill, and acoiler movable to an fro between operative positions, the one positionbeing in said gap before said roughing mill and the other position beingbefore said second mill, said coiler being operative to reel in and payout work when the same has been thinned and elongated as aforesaid,thereby being adapted to receive work delivered by said roughing milland to deliver the same to said second mill.

23. In a rolling mill plant, a mill, a feed table in the line of travelof the work through said mill, said table having a removable section foropening and closing a gap in said table adjacent to said mill, a coilermovable transversely of said line of travel into said gap as saidsection is removed therefrom and vice versa, other work handling meansin position to receive work from said coiler when said coiler ispositioned before said other work handling means, and means for insuringthe said positioning of said coiler before said other work handlingmeans when said section operatively closes said gap in said table,whereby both said mill and said other work handling means may operatesimultaneously on different pieces of work.

24. In a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill stand, a finishing millstand, the lines of travel of the work through the two stands beingsubstantially parallel, and a front centerless coiler and a rearcenterless coiler for the work, said' coilers being movable insubstantially parallel paths on the front and rear of said stands,respectively, into receiving and discharging positions in said lines oftravel, said coilers each having a heat insulating enclosure for thecoil and said enclosures each having a movable hood which may be openedto allow the contained coil to be removed from the enclosure through theopening thus provided. I

25. In`a hot rolling mill plant, a roughing mill', feed tables in theline of travel of said roughing mill, one at the front and anotherat therear,y said tables being 'of suchrcharacter as to support a flat pieceof work from the time of issuance thereof from between the rolls of saidroughing mill until it has been fed back again through the same mill,the tables being effective to support the work While it is relativelythick and in an uncoiled state, a section of one of said tables beingremovable laterally of the line of travel of the work thereover to leavea gap in said table, a second mill positioned adjacent to said roughingmill, a heat insulating coiler enclosure having a movable hood which maybe opened to permit the, removal of a coil of the work coiled therein,and a coiler within said enclosure for coiling the moved as a unitF fromsaid enclosure through its open top, said enclosure and contained coilerbeing movable to and fro between operative positions, the one positionbeing in said gap before said roughing mill and the other position beingbefore said second mill, said coiler being operative to reel in and payout 'the work when the same has been thinned and elongated as aforesaid,thereby being operative to receive work delivered by said roughing milland to deliver the same to said second mill.

26. In a hot rolling mill plant, a mill stand, a feed table in the lineof work travel through said stand, said table having a removable sectionfor opening and closing a gap in said table adjacent to said stand, asecond work heatrinsulating coiler enclosure having a movable hoodlwhichmay be opened to permit the removal of a coil of the work coiledtherein, a coiler within said enclosure for coiling the work into a coilwhich coil may be readily removed as a unit from said enclosure throughits open top, said enclosure and contained coiler being movable intosaid gap as said section is removed therefrom and vice versa, saidcoiler being operative to reel in, and pay out the work when the samehas been thinned and elongated as aforesaid, thereby being operative toreceive work delivered by said roughing mill and to deliver the same tosaid second work handling means, and means for insuring the saidpositioning of said coiler before said work handling means when saidsection operatively closes said gap in said table, whereby both the millof said mill stand and said other work handling means may operatesimultaneously on different pieces of work. v

27. In a rolling mill plant, a rolling mill, a horizontal feed table invertical alignment with said mill, said table having therein ahorizontally removable section but said table being otherwisepositionally fixed, an associated coiler, and means for moving saidcoiler and section to and fro in a horizontal plane between operativepositions, the one position having said section in alignment with Saidtable and said coiler displaced therefrom and the other position havingsaid coiler in alignment with said table and said section displacedtherefrom, whereby in said first position said mill may be operated toroll work fed along said table and simultaneously therewith said coil--4er may be emptied ofY its coil and in said second position said coilermay be operated "to reel in work rolled by said mill.

28. In combination, a rolling mill adapted for the horizontal rolling ofwork first in one direction and then in the other, two horizontallydisposed feed tables in the line of travel of the workpassing throughsaid mill, one at the front of said mill andthe other at the rear, oneof said tables having a horizontally movable section normally positionedto serve with the rest of said tables in feeding the work back and forththrough said mill and movable laterally in the horizontal plane of thetops of said tables toprovide a gap, and a coiler movable laterally in ahorizontal plane back and forth between two positions, the one positionbeing a displaced position out of the way' of the work being fed backand forth on'said tables, and the second position being in said gap inoperative coiling and uncoiling relation to said mill.

29. The combination with a mill, of horizontal feed tables in the lineof travel of said mill arranged to support the work while the same isbeing rolled back and forth in a general horizontal the mill, pinchrolls at the direction through the mill and between said mill front andrear of handling means, a:

and the associated tables, said pinch rolls being in the horizontalplane of the table and operating to engage the work issuing from themill rolls, said tables having horizontally removable sections adjacentto said pinch rolls and on the far side of the same, respectively, fromsaid mill, and coilers horizontally movable to replace said tablesections in positions adjacent to said pinch rolls ready to cooperatewith said pinch rolls and mill in coiling and uncoiling operations, saidcoilers when not replacing said a horizontal plane away to interferewith the to and fro travel of work thereon as it is being rolled,whereby said coiler may be emptied of one piece of work while the millis operating upon another piece of work.

30. In combination with a mill, of feed tables in the line of travel ofthe mill, the one at the front and another at the rear, said tablesbeing of such character as to support a flat piece of work from the timeof issuance thereof from between the rolls of the mill until it has beenfed back through the mill, the tables being effective for supporting thework while it is relatively thick and in an uncoiled state, sections ofthe tables being movable from therein to abnormal positions to leavegaps in said tables both forwardA of and in the rear of said mill, pinchrolls at the front and rear of said mill and between said mill and saidsections, respectively, other work handling means positioned to one sideof said tables, and coilers movable into said gaps and away'from saidgaps into operative relation to said other work handling means, wherebysaid coilers may be used in reeling in the work rolled on said mill whenthe same has been thinned and elongated and then paying out the same tosaid other work handling means, said operations of the coiler beforesaid means being wholly independent of and without hindrance to the iiatrolling operations of said mill.

3l. In combination, a mill, horizontal feed tables in the line of travelof said mill, one at the front and another at the rear, said tablesbeing of such character as to support a flat piece of work from the timeof issuance thereof from between the rolls of the mill until it has beenfed back through the mill, the general movement of the work being in ahorizontal piane, the tables being effective to support the work whileit is relone of said tables being horizontally removable laterally ofthe axis of said tables to leave a gapy therein, a coiler adapted toautomatically reel in and pay out the work rolled on the mill when thesame has been thinned and elongated and means for moving said coilerland section to and fro in a horizontal plane between operativepositions, the one position having said section in alignment with saidtable and said coiler displaced therefrom and the other position havingsaid coiler in alignment with said table and said section displacedtherefrom, whereby in said rst position said mill may be operated toroll work fed along said table and simultaneously therewith said coilermay be emptied of its coil and in said second position said coiler maybe operated to reel in work rolled by E said mill.

32. In a rolling mill plant, a. mill for rolling hot metal, a feed tablein alignmentv with said mill,

vsaid table having therein a removable section movable laterally of theaxis of 'said table, a heat insulating coiler enclosure having a movablehood l which may be opened to permit the removal of a coil of the workcoiled therein, a' coiler within sections being shifted in/ from saidtables so as not\` their normal positions 50 atively thick and in anunco'led state, a section of

